GoXski - Information about cross country skiing in Cogne, Italy

Cogne, Italy

Set in the heart of the Gran Paradiso National Park, Cogne is the capital of the Valle d'Aosta and has 80K of tracks under the peaks of the Grivola and Gran Paradiso, and the villages of Epinel, Lillaz and Valnontey. It is the closest resort to Aosta town and the tracks are maintained in excellent condition. This is the home of the Euroloppet Gran Paradiso.

The full list of resorts in the Valle d'Aosta Sci di Fondi is on the Italy page, and the other locations near Cogne are:

Valsavarenche
Gran San Bernardo

Val Ferret
Saint Barthemely

Rhêmes Notre Dame
Torgnon

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Cogne arena and start of the Marcia Gran Paradiso, looking up towards Valnontey. Photo Pauline Styles

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Wild chamois roaming the mountainside. Photo Pauline Styles

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View coming into Valnontey. Photo Pauline Styles

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Getting to Cogne by Air

The nearest airport is Turin Caselle airport which is 115 km from Cogne - around an hour's drive.

Flights are also available to Milan, but onward transfer is more difficult. Geneva airport has no direct public transport, but would be an option if you were hiring a car.

Bus Transfers

A shuttle service operates at weekend to/from Caselle airport to the districts of Aosta Valley (Pont-Saint-Martin, Verres, Châtillon and Aosta) at a cost of €25 each way. You will need to pre-book.

Information about buses around the Aosta Valley to Milan and Turin airports .

Travel by bus from London or Europ e and to the Aosta Valley 3 times a week. Aosta to Milan is €9.

Transfer from Turin by Train

Take a bus from the airport to one of the train stations in town. Buy the bus ticket in the arrivals hall. Buses are very regular. Full details here.

Getting to Cogne by Train

Eurostar 15.5 hours from Kings Cross via Lyon, Totino, Ivrea, Aosta to Cogne.

Getting to the Aosta Valley by Car

It's a 9 hour drive from Calais and a 2 hour drive from Geneva via the Mont Blanc tunnel (toll). From Milan it's a 2+ hours drive, and less than 2 hours from Turin airport.

The Aosta tourist website has a very good page on how to drive to the Aosta Valley with some nice stops along the way to make your journey enjoyable.

Cross Country Ski Map of Aosta

Cogne XC Ski Tracks

Valnontey XC Ski Tracks

Lillaz XC Ski Tracks

Epinel Cross Country Ski Tracks

Cross Country Ski Tracks and Routes

The foyer de fondo is c/o Maison de la Grivola, with equipment hire, changing rooms, showers, waxing room, sauna.

Ticket sales for d aily and weekly passes can be purchased from:

Cogne: automatic ticket office (only daily ticket near the roundabout at the entrance of the village)
Cogne: ticket office at the cross-country center, Consorzio Operatori Turistici, Foyer du Fond.
Lillaz: automatic ticket office (only daily ticket near the cross-country slopes, near to the chapel.)
Valnontey: automatic ticket office (only daily ticket near to the parking.)
Epinel: automatic ticket office only daily ticket near to the sport area).

Cogne Area Cross Country Ski Routes

Cogne
- 1.5 km loop (KO Sprint) World Cup – easy
- 2 km loop – easy
- 3.3 km loop – easy
- 3.75 km loop World Cup – easy
- 5 km loop – medium
- 7.5 km loop – medium
- 15 km loop – difficult
- 45 km loop – difficult (Marciagranparadiso)
Lillaz
- 1.5 km loop – easy
- 3.5 km loop – medium
- 5 km loop – medium
Valnontey
- 5 km loop – easy
Epinel
- 3 km loop – easy
- 5 km loop – medium

Cafes on Cross Country Routes

The Lauson cafe at Valnontey makes a nice stop for coffee or lunch depending on your route choice of the day. They also provide bed and breakfast. It is situated just across the bridge from the nordic route at the start/end of the Valnontey trail. The video below starts in the cafe and if you view it up to 3.00 minutes it will give you a good idea of the terrain and views in this area, which are even more stunning when covered in snow.

Where to Stay

There are many options to choose from if you are basing yourself in Cogne. One option is to book into the Lauson B&B seen above. Or choose somewhere in town if you want a little more life.

Alternatively, if you would like to tour the area by car, or take part in an organised trip with minibus transport, then the apartments that JD Ski can offer in Sarre, might well be a better central location.

J D Ski is a small company offering a personal service, and as Jane and David have lived in the Aosta valley for 12 years they have an extensive local knowledge. They provide cross country and downhill ski holidays with instruction, and can cater for both types of skiing if you are a mixed group or like to indulge in both!

They have an apartment with 3 large bedrooms sleeping 1-7 (possibly 8) people, if you are friends/family, which has undergone a complete refurbishment and includes many valdostaine features. Each apartment has 2 bathrooms and a kitchen/lounge/diner with 2 balconies overlooking the valley.

Sarre is a 5 minute drive to the neighbouring ancient Roman City of Aosta with its shops, cafes and restaurants. The local supermarkets, cafes and restaurants of Sarre are easily reached on foot from the apartments.

It's central location in the Aosta Valley, provides an ideal base to discover the many resorts of the area all within about a 30 minute drive. Cogne and Saint Nicolas are the closest but Jane and David can advise on the best places to ski each day.

Cross Country Ski Rental/Retailers

The are a variety of ski rental outlets in Cogne to choose from.

Supermarkets

Bars and Restaurants

Culinary delights in Cogne town and surrounding area .

Cross Country Ski Races

The Marcia Gran Paradiso is held in Cogne on the 1st of February every year. You will find the landscape goes from sweeping views of the valley and mountains to narrow passages through the woodland. The track features a variable elevation profile, and there are very few flat sections, making this race very challenging.